- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14A-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant [X]

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]

Check the appropriate box:

[_]Preliminary Proxy Statement [_]Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

[X]Definitive Proxy Statement

[_]Definitive Additional Materials

[_]Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12

THE MEAD CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[X]No fee required.

[_]Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: ________

(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: ___________

(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): _____________

________________________________________________________________________

(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: _______________________

(5) Total fee paid: ________________________________________________________

[_]Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

[_]Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.

(1) Amount Previously Paid: ________________________________________________

(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: __________________________

(3) Filing Party: __________________________________________________________

(4) Date Filed: ____________________________________________________________

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[LOGO]

The Mead Corporation
Mead World Headquarters
Courthouse Plaza Northeast
Dayton, Ohio 45463

March 9, 2001

To the Holders of Common Shares:

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The Mead Corporation will be held at the
Blair Auditorium, Sinclair Community College, 444 West Third Street, Dayton,
Ohio, on Thursday, April 26, 200l at 11:00 a.m. Formal Notice of the Meeting and
Proxy Statement accompany this letter.

Promptly signing and returning your proxy or voting your proxy by telephone will
assure the presence of a quorum at the meeting and minimize the cost of the
proxy solicitation. A postage paid envelope is enclosed for your convenience in
replying.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Jerry

Jerome F. Tatar
Chairman of the Board

[LOGO]

Notice of Annual
Meeting of Shareholders

The Mead Corporation Dayton, Ohio
Mead World Headquarters March 9, 2001
Courthouse Plaza Northeast
Dayton, Ohio 45463

To the Holders of Common Shares of
THE MEAD CORPORATION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The Mead
Corporation will be held at the Blair Auditorium, Sinclair Community College,
444 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio, on Thursday, April 26, 200l at 11:OO a.m.,
for the following purposes:

1. To elect eleven directors for a term of one year;

2. To consider and vote upon approval of an amendment to the 1996 Stock
Option Plan;

3. To consider and act upon such other business as may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournment.

The accompanying proxy statement further describes the matters to be considered
at the meeting.

The close of business on March 5, 200l has been fixed as the record date for the
determination of the shareholders entitled to notice and vote at the Annual
Meeting and any adjournment. The stock transfer books will not be closed. A list
of the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for
inspection at the meeting for purposes relating to the meeting.

Please complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy or vote your proxy by
telephone promptly so that we may have the fullest expression possible of the
wishes of the shareholders.

By order of the Board of Directors
Sue K. McDonnell
Secretary

[LOGO]

Proxy Statement
For 2001 Annual Meeting

The Mead Corporation
Mead World Headquarters
Courthouse Plaza Northeast
Dayton, Ohio 45463

March 9, 2001

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the
Board of Directors of The Mead Corporation ("Mead") of proxies to be used at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 26, 2001 and any adjournment.
The close of business on March 5, 2001 was fixed as the record date for the
determination of the holders of Common Shares entitled to notice and vote. There
were outstanding 99,104,386 Common Shares of Mead on the record date.

The holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote per share upon all matters
described in the Notice of the Annual Meeting.

A shareholder signing and returning a proxy or voting a proxy by telephone has
the power to revoke the proxy at any time prior to its exercise by giving notice
to Mead in writing or in open meeting, but without affecting any vote previously
taken. Beneficial owners who hold their shares in street name may not be able to
revoke their proxies in person at the Annual Meeting because the shareholders of
record who have the right to cast the vote may not be present. An owner should
contact their broker or other agent before the Annual Meeting if beneficial
owners wish to change their proxy after returning voting instructions to the
broker or other agent. Unless revoked, the shares represented by the proxy will
be voted as stated in the proxy.

Election of Directors

Mead's Regulations provide for the annual election of directors. At the 2001
Annual Meeting, the terms of John G. Breen, Duane E. Collins, William E.
Hoglund, James G. Kaiser, Robert J. Kohlhepp, John A. Krol, Susan J. Kropf,
Heidi G. Miller, Lee J. Styslinger, Jr., Jerome F. Tatar and J. Lawrence Wilson
expire, and in accordance with a recommendation of the Board of Directors and
its Nominating & Organization Committee, each of them will stand for re-election
to a new one-year term expiring at the Annual Meeting in 2002.

Charles S. Mechem, Jr., a member of the Board of Directors for 25 years, has
reached retirement age for members of the Board and will retire from the Board
on the date of the Annual Meeting.

The business experience and other information concerning the nominees for
director are described on pages 3 through 6.

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Abstentions and nonvotes
are not considered to be votes cast. The persons named in the accompanying form
of proxy intend, unless authorization to do so is withheld, to vote for the
election of the eleven nominees, to vote for the amendment to the 1996 Stock
Option Plan, and to vote in their discretion on such other business as may
properly come before the meeting or any adjournment. The holders of the proxies
may, in their discretion, vote for a substitute nominee(s) designated by the
directors in the event that any nominee becomes unable to serve for any reason
presently unknown. Under Ohio law, if a shareholder gives written notice to the
President, a Vice President or the Secretary, not less than 48 hours before the
time fixed for the Annual Meeting, that the shareholder wants the voting for the
election of directors to be cumulative, and if an announcement of the giving of
the notice is made upon the convening of the meeting by or on behalf of the
shareholder giving the notice, then the directors will be elected by cumulative
voting. In such event, each shareholder has the right to give one candidate a
number of votes equal to the number of directors then being elected multiplied
by the number of the shareholder's shares, or to distribute the shareholder's
votes on the same principle among two or more candidates. In the event of
cumulative voting for directors, unless otherwise indicated by the shareholder,
a vote for the nominees of the Board of Directors will give the proxyholders
discretionary authority to cumulate all votes to which the shareholder is
entitled and to allocate them in favor of any one or more of the nominees as the
persons named in the enclosed proxy determine. If a shareholder desires
specifically to allocate votes among one or more nominees, the shareholder
should specify the desire on the form of proxy or through direction by
telephone.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominees for Director for a one-year term expiring in 2002
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John G. Breen Mr. Breen is a Director of The Sherwin-Williams Company. He
was also Chairman from 1980 through April 2000 and Chief
[PHOTO] Executive Officer from 1979 through October 1999.

Age: 66

Director Since: 1986

Committees:
Compensation, Corporate Objectives, Executive, Finance,
Nominating & Organization

Other Directorships:
National City Corporation, Parker Hannifin Corporation, The
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and The Stanley Works

Duane E. Collins Mr. Collins is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a
Director of Parker Hannifin Corporation. He was also
[PHOTO] President from 1993 through 1999.

Age: 64

Director Since: 1999

Committees:
Audit, Corporate Objectives, Corporate Responsibility,
Nominating & Organization

Other Directorships:
National City Corporation and The Sherwin-Williams Company

William E. Hoglund Mr. Hoglund retired as Director and Executive Vice
President, Corporate Affairs and Staff Support Group of
[PHOTO] General Motors Corporation in 1995.

Age: 66

Director Since: 1993

Committees:
Corporate Objectives, Corporate Responsibility, Executive,
Finance, Nominating & Organization

Other Directorships:
Capital Automotive REIT

James G. Kaiser Mr. Kaiser is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a
Director of Avenir Partners, Inc. Prior to that, he was
[PHOTO] President and Chief Executive Officer of Quanterra
Incorporated from 1994 to 1996. Prior to that, he was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Enseco, Inc. from
1992 to 1994. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President
and General Manager, Technical Products Division and Latin
America/Asia Pacific Exports of Corning Incorporated from
1984 to 1992.

Age: 58

Director Since: 1995

Committees:
Corporate Objectives, Corporate Responsibility, Finance,
Nominating & Organization

Other Directorships:
The Stanley Works, Sunoco, Inc. and AutoTradeCenter.com

Robert J. Kohlhepp Mr. Kohlhepp is a Director of Cintas Corporation and has
been Chief Executive Officer since 1995.
[PHOTO]
Age: 57

Director Since: 1998

Committees:
Audit, Corporate Objectives, Corporate Responsibility,
Nominating & Organization

John A. Krol Mr. Krol retired as Director and Chairman of E.I. du Pont de
Nemours and Company in 1998. He was Chief Executive Officer
[PHOTO] from 1995 through January 1998. He was also President from
1995 through October 1997.

Age: 64

Director Since: 1994

Committees:
Corporate Objectives, Corporate Responsibility, Executive,
Finance, Nominating & Organization

Other Directorships:
Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Milliken & Company Inc.
and Molecular Circuitry, Inc.

Susan J. Kropf Ms. Kropf is a Director of Avon Products, Inc. since January
1998 and is President and Chief Operating Officer since
[PHOTO] January 2001. Prior to that, she was Chief Operating Officer
of North America and Global Business Operations since
December 1999. Prior to that, she was Executive Vice
President and President, North America since March 1998.
Prior to that, she was Executive Vice President and
President, Avon U.S., since March 1997. Prior to that, she
was Senior Vice President of Avon Products, Inc. and
President, New and Emerging Markets since July 1996. Prior
to that, she was Senior Vice President - Global Product and
Business Development from 1994 to July 1996.

Age: 52

Director Since: 1996

Committees:
Audit, Compensation, Corporate Objectives, Nominating &
Organization

Other Directorships:
Green Point Financial Corporation

Heidi G. Miller Ms. Miller is Vice Chairman of Marsh Inc. since January
2001. Prior to that, she was Senior Executive Vice
[PHOTO] President, Chief Financial Officer and a Director of
Priceline.com from February 1999 to November 2000. Prior to
that, she was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Citigroup, Inc. from 1998 to February 1999. Prior
to that, she was Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Travelers Group from 1994 to 1998.

Age: 47

Director Since: 1999

Committees:
Compensation, Corporate Objectives, Finance, Nominating &
Organization

Other Directorships:
Bank One, NA, General Mills and Merck & Company

Lee J. Styslinger, Jr. Mr. Styslinger is Chairman and a Director of ALTEC
Industries, Inc.

[PHOTO] Age: 67

Director Since: 1992

Committees:
Audit, Compensation, Corporate Objectives, Executive,
Nominating & Organization

Other Directorships:
Global Rental Company, Jemison Investment Company,
Regions Financial Corporation and Electronic Healthcare
Systems

Jerome F. Tatar Mr. Tatar is Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Mead. Prior to November 1997, he was
[PHOTO] President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to April
1996, he served as Vice President - Operating Officer.

Age: 54

Director Since: 1996

Committee:
Executive

Other Directorships:
Robbins & Myers, Inc. and National City Corporation

J. Lawrence Wilson Mr. Wilson retired as Director, Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Company in
[PHOTO] 1999.

Age: 65

Director Since: 1997

Committees:
Audit, Corporate Objectives, Executive, Finance,
Nominating & Organization

Other Directorships:
Cummins Inc., The Vanguard Group of Investment
Companies and AmeriSource Health Corporation

Certain Information Concerning the Board of Directors

There were eight meetings of the Board of Directors during 2000. The seven
standing committees of the Board and the number of meetings of each committee
during 2000 follow:

Number of
Committee Meetings
--------- --------

Audit 3
Compensation 3
Corporate Objectives 3
Corporate Responsibility 2
Executive 0
Finance 2
Nominating & Organization 2

The Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer serves as an ex-officio,
nonvoting member of all standing committees, other than the Audit Committee and
Executive Committee.

Duties and Members
Each standing committee of the Board of Directors ("Board") is composed of
directors who are not employed by Mead, except the Executive Committee. The
duties of each committee and the expected membership following the Annual
Meeting are as follows:

The Audit Committee recommends annually to the Board for its approval the
engagement of the independent certified public accountants, verifies and assures
their independence, reviews the professional services they provide, reviews the
fees charged for audit and non-audit services, reviews the broad scope of the
internal and external audit programs, and reviews with the independent certified
public accountants, at the completion of their audit, Mead's financial
statements and matters relating to the audit.

Members: Styslinger (chair), Collins, Kohlhepp, Kropf, Wilson
- -------

The Compensation Committee is charged with the broad responsibility for assuring
that officers and key management personnel are effectively compensated in terms
which are internally equitable and externally competitive. The Committee
authorizes the compensation of officers and senior management and recommends to
the Board the compensation of the Chairman of the Board and the President and
reviews the salaries of other key executives, reviews executive compensation
policies and recommends modifications in existing retirement or benefit plans.
The Committee also approves grants under and administers Mead's stock option and
restricted stock plans.

Members: Breen (chair), Hoglund, Kaiser, Miller, Styslinger
- -------

The Corporate Objectives Committee is charged with reviewing Mead's objectives
and strategies and evaluating management's recommendations for long-term growth
and profitability. The Committee also makes recommendations to the Board with
regard to specific proposals by management of major strategic importance,
including acquisitions. The Committee monitors growth programs to measure
progress and reviews the potential impact of economic and technological trends
on operations.

Members: Kropf (chair), Breen, Collins, Hoglund, Kaiser, Kohlhepp, Krol,
- -------
Miller, Styslinger, Wilson

The Corporate Responsibility Committee is charged with questioning and
evaluating Mead's plans and responses relating to changing needs and concerns of
those major constituencies (both internal and external) which can be expected to
judge Mead's behavior and social performance.

Members: Krol (chair), Collins, Hoglund, Kaiser, Kohlhepp
- -------

The Executive Committee is empowered under Ohio law to exercise the full
authority of the Board, except as to matters not delegable. However, in
practice, there are no scheduled meetings of this Committee and such powers
would be exercised only in special situations.

Members: Tatar (chair), Hoglund (vice chair), Breen, Krol, Kropf, Styslinger,
- -------
Wilson

The Finance Committee is charged with overseeing Mead's financial affairs and
recommending those financial actions and policies that are most appropriate to
accommodate Mead's strategic and operating strategies while maintaining a sound
financial condition. The Committee reviews programs designed to inform, maintain
and improve shareholder and financial community relations.

Members: Wilson (chair), Breen, Krol, Kropf, Miller
- -------

The Nominating & Organization Committee has as its principal concerns the
nomination of candidates to the Board, the development of criteria and
evaluation of the performance of the Chief Executive Officer, organizational
development, and review of shareholder proposals and suggestions. The Committee
also furnishes its evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer to the Compensation
Committee and reviews his compensation set by the Compensation Committee to
ensure it appropriately relates to shareholder value.

Members: Hoglund (chair), Breen, Collins, Kaiser, Kohlhepp, Krol, Kropf,
- -------
Miller, Styslinger, Wilson

Mead's Regulations require nominations for the Board from any shareholder to be
delivered not less than 50 nor more than 75 days prior to the meeting of the
shareholders to which the nomination relates, and to contain specified
information about the nominee and the shareholder making the nomination. In
addition to any nominations made under Mead's Regulations, the Nominating &
Organization Committee will consider other suggestions for nominations to the
Board as may be offered by shareholders. Such suggestions for nominations should
be submitted

to Sue K. McDonnell, Secretary. Directors are selected on the basis of
recognized achievements and their ability to bring essential skills and
experience to the deliberations of the Board.

Directors who were not employees in 2000 received $24,000 as an annual payment
for services as a director, $1,500 per meeting for attendance at meetings of the
Board, and $1,200 per meeting for attendance at committee meetings of the Board.
Directors who are Mead employees are not compensated for their services as
directors. In 2000 each director attended 75% or more of the Board and
committee meetings.

Mead has a deferred compensation plan for non-employee directors by which
receipt of compensation for Board service, together with a credited return
thereon, may be deferred until after termination of service.

Non-employee directors received restricted shares from Mead in 2000. The 1987
Restricted Stock Plan was amended in 1996 by shareholders to provide for annual
grants of Common Shares determined by formula. The automatic annual grant to
non-employee directors as of January 5, 2000 equaled $13,338.30. The Plan also
permits directors under certain conditions to defer a portion of their cash
retainer in the form of restricted shares. Directors who are not employees in
2001 will receive $24,000 in restricted stock comprised of automatic and
elective grants under the Plan.

Non-employee directors received stock options from Mead in 2000. The 1996 Stock
Option Plan approved by shareholders provides for automatic grants of non-
qualified options to non-employee directors calculated by a formula. Each non-
employee director as of January 3, 2000 received a grant of options to purchase
709 shares for an aggregate exercise price of $30,265.44 (the market value on
the date of grant).

Securities Ownership
Set forth in the following table is information as of January 23, 2001 with
respect to the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by each director, each
of the named executive officers, and by all directors and executive officers as
a group.

A person is considered to "beneficially own" any shares: (i) over which the
person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power, or (ii) of which the
person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days
(e.g., through the exercise of stock options).

The table reflects voting and investment power which is exercisable solely by
the beneficial owner or is shared with the owner's spouse or children, unless
otherwise indicated.

Ownership of Mead Common Shares
-------------------------------
as of January 23, 2001/(1)/

Number of Shares
Owned Including Number of
Option Shares Option Shares
Which May Which May
Name of be Acquired be Acquired
Beneficial Owner Within 60 Days/(1)/ Within 60 Days/(2)/
- ---------------- ------------------- -------------------
John G. Breen........................ 13,579 3,269
Duane E. Collins..................... 6,679 1,309
William E. Hoglund................... 11,631 3,269
James G. Kaiser...................... 8,115 3,269
Elias M. Karter...................... 329,086 288,666
Robert J. Kohlhepp................... 5,862 1,989
John A. Krol......................... 8,337 3,269
Susan J. Kropf....................... 8,375 3,269
Raymond W. Lane...................... 325,920 282,722
Sue K. McDonnell..................... 72,965 67,000
Timothy R. McLevish.................. 117,059 102,600
Charles S. Mechem, Jr................ 17,372 3,269
Heidi G. Miller...................... 3,241 1,309
Lee J. Styslinger, Jr................ 49,319 3,269
Jerome F. Tatar...................... 741,414 679,858
J. Lawrence Wilson................... 8,333 2,649

-------------------------

All directors, nominees
and executive officers as
a group (20 persons)............ 2,188,862 1,853,893

-------------------------

(1) Includes shares granted under Mead's Restricted Stock Plan, Dividend
Reinvestment Plan and shares held in the named executive's common stock
account as of December 31, 2000 in the Mead 401(k) Plan. The named
executives may vote and direct the disposition of shares in their account,
except with respect to disposition to the extent shares constitute Mead
matching shares. Restricted shares may be voted but not disposed during the
restriction period.

(2) Amounts are also included in the column entitled "Number of Shares Owned
Including Option Shares Which May be Acquired Within 60 Days".

As of January 23, 2001, the number of shares beneficially owned (excluding
option shares which may be acquired within 60 days) (i) by the directors and
executive officers as a group was less than 1% of outstanding shares, and (ii)
by all directors and executive officers individually was less than 1% of
outstanding shares.

The following table describes certain information with respect to persons known
to Mead to be beneficial owners of more than five percent of the outstanding
Common Shares:

Percent of Common
Number of Common Shares Shares Outstanding
Name and Address of Beneficial Owners Beneficially Owned as of Recent Date
- ------------------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------

AXA Financial, Inc.
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104 8,469,610/(1)/ 8.30%

The Prudential Insurance Company of America
751 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102-3777 5,851,460/(2)/ 5.82%

Franklin Mutual Advisors, LLC
51 John F. Kennedy Parkway
Short Hills, New Jersey 07078 5,355,384/(3)/ 5.30%

(1) Source: Schedule 13G dated February 12, 2001, filed by beneficial owner
with the SEC.
(2) Source: Schedule 13G dated January 29, 2001, filed by beneficial owner
with the SEC.
(3) Source: Schedule 13G dated January 19, 2001, filed by beneficial owner
with the SEC.

Report of Audit Committee
The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its
responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting,
auditing and reporting practices of Mead. The Board of Directors have adopted a
written charter for the Audit Committee. A copy of the charter is included as
Appendix 1 to this Proxy Statement.

The Audit Committee is currently comprised of five Directors of the Board who
are not employees of Mead. The Common Shares of Mead are listed on the New York
Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). The members of the Audit Committee have been reviewed
by the Board of Directors and determined to be independent as defined in
Sections 303.01(B)(2)(a) and (3) of the NYSE's listing standards.

The Audit Committee has discussed the audited financial statements with
management and Deloitte & Touche LLP. Management has the primary responsibility
for the financial statements and the reporting process. The Audit Committee has
discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the matters required to be discussed by SAS
61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU Section 380), as
modified or supplemented. The Audit Committee has received written disclosures
and a letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP required by Independence Standards Board

Standard No. 1, as modified or supplemented, and has discussed the independence
of Deloitte & Touche LLP with Deloitte & Touche LLP. The Audit Committee has
also considered whether Deloitte & Touche LLP's provision of financial
information systems design and implementation services, if any, and other non-
audit services to Mead is compatible with maintaining the independence of
Deloitte & Touche LLP. The fees payable by Mead to Deloitte & Touche LLP during
2000 were as follows:

Financial Information Systems Design
Audit Fees and Implementation Fees All Other Fees
- ---------- ------------------------------------ --------------
$1,980,000 $0 $1,970,000

Based on these discussions and a review of all the items delivered, the Audit
Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial
statements be included in Mead's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2000 for filing
with the Securities Exchange Commission.

Audit Committee members:
Lee J. Styslinger, Jr. (chair)
Duane E. Collins
Robert J. Kohlhepp
Susan J. Kropf
J. Lawrence Wilson

Report of Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation

The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of five Directors of the Board
who are not employees of the company. This Committee is responsible for setting
competitive compensation structures and approving payout levels for officers and
senior management.

Mr. Tatar, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, serves
as an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the Board's standing committees (other
than Audit and Executive), including the Compensation Committee. He was not
present during any discussion of his compensation.

Mead's executive compensation structure is based on competitiveness within
Mead's business environment. The actual compensation levels delivered to
executives are designed to directly link to the financial performance of the
company; align the interests of the executives with company performance, thus
increasing shareholder value; to attract, retain and motivate executive talent;
and provide a balanced total compensation package that recognizes the individual
contributions of the executive and the business results of the company.

Base Pay
- --------

Salary range midpoints are set to approximate those midpoints of industrial
companies of similar size to Mead, as annually reported in the Hay Industrial
Management USA survey, representing approximately 360 parent organizations and
508 independent operating units of all types of industrial employers in the
United States (the "Hay Competition"). Around these midpoints for each salary
grade is an established salary range, characterized by a defined minimum and
maximum.

Actual salaries paid to executives are targeted to be competitive with the
average salaries for that same survey group, with a particular comparison to a
selected group of Forest and Paper company competitive peers. These peers (the
"FP Peers") are Boise Cascade Corporation, Bowater Incorporated, Georgia-Pacific
Corporation, International Paper Company, Potlatch Corporation, Smurfit Stone
Container Corporation, Temple-Inland Inc., Westvaco Corporation, Weyerhaeuser
Company, and Willamette Industries, Inc.

Salary increases for the executive group as a whole are determined primarily by
a review of Mead's competitive position relative to the Hay Competition, and an
assessment of competitive salary increase movement for the upcoming year. The
salary increase for each named executive officer is determined by individual
performance, influenced to a minor degree by that individual's position in the
salary range. A fundamental basis of Mead's compensation philosophy is to
deliver moderate salary increases in favor of incentive payouts that reward for
the performance of the company and the contribution of the executive.

Mr. Tatar's 2000 salary was set by the Board to assure continued competitiveness
for such a leadership role. His salary remains below the salary midpoint for his
position and below the level of the Hay Competition.

The salaries of the other named executives average below the Mead midpoint for
their respective grades, and also lag the Hay Competition.

Annual Incentives
- -----------------

Annual incentive targets are set at levels that achieve a combined salary
midpoint plus incentive target that equals actual competitive average base
salaries plus annual bonuses, as determined by an analysis of the total cash
compensation paid by the Hay Competition.

Actual incentive payouts are determined under Mead's Corporate Annual Incentive
Plan which is funded by a comparison of Mead Return on Total Capital ("ROTC") to
both the FP Peers (as measured in the Value Line Report) and also to the
company's cost of capital. The Mead ROTC comparison to the ROTC of the FP Peers
and to the company's cost of capital is weighted equally.

Mead's financial performance for 2000 modestly improved from 1999 levels, but to
a lesser extent than did the financial results of the other FP Peers. For
incentive purposes, Mead's 2000 operating ROTC of 6.6% excludes the effect of
two plant closings. As a result of this financial performance, the 2000 annual
incentives for all named executives, including Mr. Tatar, were below target
levels, and since the improvement in Mead's operating financial performance was
exceeded by the financial improvement of the FP Peer group, the level of annual
incentive payment decreased slightly from 1999. The payout was delivered as 100%
cash to all participants and subject to prior deferral elections.

Long-Term Incentives
- --------------------

The Compensation Committee believes that a significant portion of senior
executive compensation must reflect the desire for sustained operational
excellence, reward competitive long-term financial results, and be linked to the
returns realized by shareholders. Thus, a major portion of the compensation
package reflects awards for long-term results. Mead's long-term compensation can
be delivered in three plans:

. Performance Unit Plan
. Restricted Stock Plan
. Stock Option Plan

The Corporate Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP") is a performance unit plan
that provides long term incentive awards for attaining shareholder value at or
above the median of the FP Peers and is adjusted for a comparison of Mead total
shareholder return ("TSR") to that of the S&P 500 Index of companies. The plan
compares relative TSR over a two year period.

For the two-year performance period ending December 31, 2000, Mead's TSR was
fifth relative to the TSR of its ten FP Peers, and modestly exceeded the S&P 500
Index TSR. The resulting payout determined by the LTIP to all the named
executives was slightly below target levels. For all participants, excluding Mr.
Karter, the payout was delivered as a minimum of 25% restricted stock, with the
balance in cash. The payout to Mr. Tatar consisted of $383,950 in restricted
stock, $183,950 in cash, with a mandatory deferral of $200,000 until retirement.

Restricted stock with a minimum of six month restrictions may be granted to
encourage retention of key executives, or in lieu of payment of cash incentives,
or for any other reason consistent with the purposes of Mead's Restricted Stock
Plan. Restricted shares are granted at market prices. As indicated previously, a
portion of the LTIP payout was delivered as three year restricted stock to all
named executives, including Mr. Tatar.

Stock option grants are based on competitive practices of the Hay Competition
(rather than Mead's past corporate performance), are granted at market price and
cannot be exercised for one year. The objective of stock option grants is to
incent future company performance, rather than to reward for past contribution.
Mead also believes that granting stock options to senior management further
aligns their interests with shareholders.

The size of annual option grants is based on the grade level of each recipient.
Generally, the number of options granted increases approximately 30% with each
grade level increase. Significant discretionary adjustments (+/-30%) are made to
grants to recognize the future potential of the individual.

For 2000, Mr. Tatar received an annual grant of 95,000 stock options.

Stock Ownership Guidelines
- --------------------------

It is believed that executives are more significant contributors to the success
of the business if they have a significant ownership position in the
organization. The Compensation Committee believes the design of Mead's executive
compensation plans deliver adequate opportunity for each executive to acquire
Mead shares. For the named executive officers, the company has established
guidelines that define a level of stock ownership that each executive is
expected to achieve and maintain.

Compensation Deferral Opportunities
- -----------------------------------

Mead maintains the Executive Capital Accumulation Plan (the "ExCAP") to provide
executives with the opportunity to elect deferrals of earned compensation: base
salary, annual incentive payout and long-term incentive payout (cash portions
only). In addition, the plan provides for a 401(k) Top-Up which is 401(k)
contributions above the qualified plan limit to be placed in the same non-
qualified account, along with a company match that is determined by the 401(k)
formula.

Funds deferred are credited at a rate set by one of several market-driven
investment indices offered by the company. Payment of those amounts deferred
commence in accordance with the executive's deferral election, and generally
start at retirement or termination, or on a fixed date.

For 2000, all named executives elected to participate through compensation
deferrals and/or the 401(k) Top-Up. In addition, the Board of Directors mandated
that a portion of Mr. Tatar's annual incentive payout be deferred until
retirement in order to optimize the company's tax deduction in 2000.

Deductibility of Executive Compensation
- ---------------------------------------

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a tax deduction
to public companies for individual compensation over one million dollars paid to
a company's Chief Executive Officer and to the four other most highly
compensated executive officers. For 2000, Mr. Tatar's compensation exceeded one
million dollars. The Compensation Committee recommended and the Board of
Directors approved compensation over the Section 162(m) limit for the purpose of
allowing Mr. Tatar to increase his company stock ownership level through the
acquisition of restricted stock and the planned exercise of stock options to
purchase Mead shares.

The Compensation Committee has considered the effect of Section 162(m) on the
company's executive compensation program with respect to the combined effects of
deductibility of the company's executive compensation, the competitiveness of
executive compensation levels, and the impact of other employee benefits. For
compensation program design and in determining compensation payments, the
Committee believes Mead's executive compensation program should be managed in
the overall best interest of the company's shareholders.

The Committee currently believes that the limitations in Section 162(m) will
impact Mead's tax deduction for compensation in 2000.

Summary
- -------

The Mead compensation program delivered as the mix of compensation elements
(base pay, annual incentives, long term incentives and deferral opportunities)
is an effective tool in supporting executive excellence. Mead's operating
financial results increased in 2000 from the levels of 1999, but at a rate lower
than that of the FP Peers, producing a decrease in annual incentive payments.
From a longer term perspective, Mead's share price increase produced a total
shareholder return that slightly exceeded the industry average producing long
term incentive payments that were much lower than the level of last year.

The Compensation Committee remains confident these elements of the executive
compensation program are key in rewarding executives who contribute to the
success of the company.

Compensation Committee members:
John G. Breen (chair)
Susan J. Kropf
Charles S. Mechem, Jr.
Heidi G. Miller
Lee J. Styslinger, Jr.

Jerome F. Tatar (ex-officio, nonvoting member)

Compensation Tables
The compensation for services performed during the fiscal years ended December
31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 for Mr. Tatar and each of the other four most highly
compensated executive officers is as follows. No stock appreciation rights were
issued to the named executives during 1998-2000.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Long-Term Compensation
-----------------------------------------------------------
Annual Compensation Awards Payouts
- -------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------

Other
Name Annual Restricted Securities All Other
and Compen- Stock Underlying LTIP Compen-
Principal sation Award(s) Options/ Payouts/(5)/ sation/(6)/
Position Year Salary($) Bonus($)/(1)/ ($)/(2)/ ($)/(3)(5)/ SARs(#)/(4)/ ($) ($)
- -------- ---- --------- ------------- --------- ----------- ------------ ------------ -----------

Jerome F. 2000 $820,838 $530,000 $ 0 $ 383,950 98,678 $ 383,950 $62,468
Tatar, 1999 762,508 550,000 55,118 150,000 139,474 1,093,600 63,026
Chairman, 1998 700,008 625,000 18,631 144,900 150,000 0 43,211
President
and CEO

Raymond 2000 $433,600 $200,000 $ 0 $ 72,875 30,000 $ 218,625 $28,927
W. Lane, 1999 407,508 205,000 121,311 234,050 58,678 234,050 30,253
Exec. VP 1998 381,940 240,000 30,116 62,200 41,000 0 22,906

Eli M. 2000 $424,000 $196,400 $ 0 $ 0 25,000 $ 291,500 $38,117
Karter, 1999 400,284 230,000 211,676 117,025 61,760 351,075 32,962
Exec. VP 1998 378,396 240,000 66,973 62,200 41,800 0 25,076

Timothy R. 2000 $274,500 $135,000 $ 0 $ 41,575 20,000 $ 124,725 $16,325
McLevish, 1999 220,450 115,000 305,782 186,600 19,000 0 11,918
VP/CFO 1998 181,740 135,000 66,973 17,800 15,000 0 10,345

Sue K. 2000 $266,035 $135,000 $ 0 $ 42,750 20,000 $ 128,250 $15,241
McDonnell, 1999 224,315 115,000 11,773 130,125 13,000 43,375 12,413
VP/GC and 1998 172,534 86,000 66,973 16,100 11,000 0 10,292
Secretary

______________________
(footnotes on following page)

(1) Bonuses are earned in the year specified and paid in the following year.
Cash bonuses for 2000 consist of payments under the Corporate Annual
Incentive Plan.

(2) Consists solely of interest on deferred compensation in excess of the
applicable federal rate. Mead owns life insurance on the lives of
employees participating in this deferred compensation program which
supports the interest rates used.

(3) Dividends are paid on Restricted Stock in the same manner and amount as
paid on Mead's common shares.

(4) Includes "reload options" granted for ISO exercises and stock held in 1998,
1999 or 2000, if any.

(5) The LTIP is a performance unit plan based on Total Shareholder Return
versus the Total Shareholder Return of the S&P 500 Index and Mead's ranking
within the selected Forest Products peer group. The performance period
included 1999 and 2000. The payout for the performance period was made in
February 2001, and was delivered as 50% restricted stock and 50% cash to
Mr. Tatar. The payout was delivered as 25% restricted stock and 75% cash to
Mr. Lane, Mr. McLevish and Ms. McDonnell. The payout was delivered as 100%
cash to Mr. Karter. Restricted stock payouts are reported under "Restricted
Stock Award(s)" and carry a restriction period of three years. Shares
awarded: Mr. Tatar - 14,041; Mr. Lane - 2,665; Mr. McLevish - 1,520; and,
Ms. McDonnell - 1,563, based on the fair market value, composite index, on
the date of the award. Dividends are paid on restricted stock in the same
manner and amount as otherwise paid on Mead's common shares. There were no
other restricted stock holdings of the named executive officers at December
31, 2000.

(6) Amounts consist solely of executive life insurance premiums paid by Mead
and matching contributions by Mead to qualified and non-qualified savings
plans.

OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

The following table shows, for the named executive officers, additional
information about option grants during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.
No stock appreciation rights were granted in 2000.

Individual Grants
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Percent of Potential
Number of Total Realizable Value at
Securities Options/ Assumed Annual
Underlying SARs Rates of Stock Price
Options/ Granted to Exercise Appreciation
SARs Employees or Base Expira- for Option Term/(2)/
------------------------------------------
Granted in Fiscal Price tion
Name (#)/(1)/ Year ($/Sh) Date 0% ($) 5% ($) 10%($)
- ---- ---------- ------------ ------ ---- ------- ------ ------

Jerome F. Tatar 98,678 8.23% $31.375 2/23/10 $0 $1,947,072 $4,934,262
Raymond W. Lane 30,000 2.50% 31.375 2/23/10 0 591,947 1,500,110
Elias M. Karter 25,000 2.09% 31.375 2/23/10 0 493,289 1,250,092
Timothy R. McLevish 20,000 1.67% 31.375 2/23/10 0 394,631 1,000,073
Sue K. McDonnell 20,000 1.67% 31.375 2/23/10 0 394,631 1,000,073

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0%/(3)/ 5%/(3)/ 10%/(3)/
-- -- ---

Assumed Stock Price $31.375 $51.11 $81.38
Market Value of All Shareholdings $3.10 billion $5.05 billion $8.04 billion
Named Executives Percentage 0.20% 0.20%

________________________________________

(1) Options are granted with terms of ten years and may be exercised
beginning one year or up to three years after date of grant, depending on
the terms of the option. Limited Rights (described on page 24) have been
granted to each of the named executive officers in an amount equal to the
stock options granted. The holders of stock options may under certain
conditions pay minimum withholding taxes due upon the exercise of stock
options using shares previously owned. Also, reload option rights were
included with the grant of incentive stock options (3,187 shares were
granted to each named executive officer as an incentive stock option in
2000). Reload options state the option price for the reload is the fair
market value as of the date of exercise (not grant) of the original
option. Reload options are not exercisable unless the shares purchased
upon exercise of the original option are owned for at least three years.

(2) The dollar amounts under the 5% and 10% columns are set by the Securities
and Exchange Commission and are not intended to forecast possible future
appreciation of Mead's stock.

(3) At an assumed 5% stock price appreciation over a ten-year period, Mead's
stock price would increase from $31.375 per share (the market price on
the grant date) to $51.11 per share, and the aggregate market value of
all shareholder holdings as of the grant date would increase from $31.375
billion to $5.05 billion. At an assumed 10% stock price appreciation over
a ten-year period, Mead's stock price would increase from $31.375 per
share to $81.38 per share, and the aggregate market value of all
shareholder holdings as of the grant date would increase to $8.04
billion. The named executives would receive 0.20% of any such increase in
market value.

AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUES

The following table shows information about stock option exercises during 2000
and unexercised stock options at year end 2000 for the named executive officers.
No stock appreciation rights were granted or exercised in 2000.

Number of
Securities Value of
Underlying Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-Money
Options/SARs at Options/SARs at
FY-End (#) FY-End ($)/(1)/
Shares
Acquired Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name on Exercise(#) Value Realized ($) Unexercisable Unexercisable
- ---- -------------- ---------------- ------------- -------------

Jerome F. Tatar -0- N/A 584,858/103,152 $1,611,546/$55,348
Raymond W. Lane -0- N/A 252,722/33,678 964,051/14,064
Elias M. Karter -0- N/A 263,666/41,560 1,007,936/14,120
Timothy R. McLevish -0- N/A 82,600/20,000 305,496/9,376
Sue K. McDonnell -0- N/A 47,000/20,000 107,345/9,376

_______________________

/(1)/ Based upon the difference between the fair market value (the average of
the high and the low prices) of Mead common shares on the last trading
day of 2000 and the exercise price of the stock option.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS - AWARDS
IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

The following table shows, for the named executive officers, additional
information about the LTIP plan eligibility for the performance period that
commenced in 2000.

Performance or
Number of Other Period Estimated Future Payouts
Shares, Until Under Non-Stock
Units or Maturation /(1)/ Price - Based Plans
--------------------------------------
Name Other Rights(#) or Payout Threshold($) Target($) Maximum($)
- ---- --------------- ----------------- ---------- --------- ---------

Jerome F. Tatar 834,700 1/1/00 to 12/31/01 $0 $834,700 $1,669,400
Raymond W. Lane 316,800 1/1/00 to 12/31/01 0 316,800 633,600
Elias M. Karter 316,800 1/1/00 to 12/31/01 0 316,800 633,600
Timothy R. McLevish 214,800 1/1/00 to 12/31/01 0 214,800 429,600
Sue K. McDonnell 214,800 1/1/00 to 12/31/01 0 214,800 429,600

______________________

/(1)/ Plan based on Mead's two-year Total Shareholder Return (share price growth
plus dividends reinvested) versus the Total Shareholder Return - TSR - of
the S&P 500 Index and Mead's TSR ranking within the selected Forest
Products peer group. The TSR performance period is from December 31, 1999
to December 31, 2001.

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following performance graph compares Mead's cumulative total shareholder
return over a five year period, assuming $100 invested at December 31, 1995 in
Mead common stock, in the S&P 500 Index, in the S&P Paper and Forest Products
Composite Index and in the S&P Basic Materials Index. The information on these
indices have been provided by Standard & Poor's Corporation. Shareholder return
is based on increases in share price and dividends paid, assuming reinvestment
of dividends.

THE MEAD CORPORATION
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN: 1995-2000

[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

Measurement Period
(Fiscal Year Covered)

Mead Corporation S&P 500 Index S&P Paper & F. P. S&P Basic Materials

Measurement Pd -

FYE 12/31/95 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
FYE 12/31/96 113.65 122.96 110.62 115.72
FYE 12/31/97 111.62 163.98 118.61 126.22
FYE 12/31/98 119.28 210.85 120.96 118.50
FYE 12/31/99 179.99 255.21 169.13 149.75
FYE 12/31/00 133.15 231.98 138.50 130.98

YEAR

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Mead 100.00 113.65 111.62 119.28 179.99 133.15
S&P 500 100.00 122.96 163.98 210.85 255.21 231.98
S&P Basic Materials 100.00 115.72 126.22 118.50 149.75 130.98
S&P Paper & F.P. 100.00 110.62 118.61 120.96 169.13 138.50

Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1995 in Mead common stock, S&P Index, S&P
Paper and Forest Products Index, and S&P Basic Materials Index. Assumes
reinvestment of dividends.

Retirement Plans
Salaried employees of Mead are participants in Mead's non-contributory
retirement plan which provides retirement income based upon years of employment
and average annual earnings for the five highest years during the last eleven
years of employment. Benefits under the retirement plan become vested after five
years. The table below sets forth the approximate annual benefits payable under
the plan's formula at normal retirement date (age 65) on a straight life annuity
basis without regard to optional forms of payment:

Years of Service
----------------

Remuneration 5 15 20 25 30 35
- ------------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
125,000 7,500 26,250 35,625 45,000 54,375 63,750
175,000 10,500 36,750 49,875 63,000 76,125 89,250
225,000 13,500 47,250 64,125 81,000 97,875 114,750
300,000 18,000 63,000 85,500 108,000 130,500 153,000
500,000 30,000 105,000 142,500 180,000 217,500 255,000
700,000 42,000 147,000 199,500 252,000 304,500 357,000
900,000 54,000 189,000 256,500 324,000 391,500 459,000
1,100,000 66,000 231,000 313,500 396,000 478,500 561,000
1,300,000 78,000 273,000 370,500 468,000 565,500 663,000
1,500,000 90,000 315,000 427,500 540,000 652,500 765,000

The named executives have the years of credited service indicated: Mr. Tatar,
26; Mr. Karter, 18; Mr. Lane, 25; Ms. McDonnell, 5; Mr. McLevish, 13. Earnings
used for calculation of retirement income for the named executives are salary,
bonus and incentive compensation (other than long-term incentive payments) paid
as described in the Summary Compensation Table. The benefits payable under
Mead's plan are reduced by one-half of the primary Social Security benefit.

Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, an individual's normal annual
benefit from a qualified retirement plan such as Mead's may not exceed specified
limits. To the extent that the amounts calculated under Mead's non-contributory
retirement plan exceed the limits, Mead pays the excess under an unfunded excess
benefit plan.

Mead also maintains an unfunded supplemental retirement plan for senior level
management personnel who become eligible to participate in the plan after they
have completed three years of employment in a qualified job classification. The
plan provides annual retirement benefits of 55% of a participant's final average
earnings (earnings include bonuses and incentive compensation other than long-
term incentive payments, but may not exceed two times base compensation for any
year) for the three highest years during the last eleven years of employment,
less benefits received from other pension plans of Mead and from pension plans
of previous employers. Benefits are also reduced by one-half of a participant's
primary Social Security Benefit. A participant may receive full benefits under
this plan after he attains age 62. Messrs. Tatar, Karter and Lane have
completed three years of employment in a qualified job classification and are
currently eligible to participate in this plan.

The approximate annual benefits, on a straight life annuity basis, payable to
the named executive officers under the retirement plan, the excess and
supplemental retirement plans, based on compensation levels to date and assuming
retirement at age 62, calculated prior to the offsets described above, are as
follows: Mr. Tatar, $696,427; Mr. Karter, $334,607; Mr. Lane, $337,000; Ms.
McDonnell, $161,253; and, Mr. McLevish, $183,179.

Benefit Trust
A Benefit Trust has been established to preserve the benefits earned under The
Mead Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, The Mead Corporation Incentive
Compensation Election Plan, The Mead Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for
Directors, The Mead Corporation Section 415 Excess Benefit Plan, The Mead
Corporation Excess Earnings Benefit Plan, The 1985 Supplement to The Mead
Corporation Incentive Compensation Election Plan, The 1985 Supplement to The
Mead Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, The Mead Corporation
Executive Capital Accumulation Plan, The Mead Corporation Directors Capital
Accumulation Plan, The Mead Corporation Directors Retirement Plan, Hilroy Excess
Earnings Plan, and all Change in Control Severance Agreements with Executives
and Staff directors. Upon the occurrence of any potential change in control or
change in control, as defined in the Benefit Trust, Mead will be obligated to
contribute an amount of cash and other property to the Benefit Trust which is
intended to be sufficient to pay, in accordance with the terms of the plans, the
benefits authorized under the plans and certain related expenses. If the funds
in the Benefit Trust are insufficient for any reason to pay amounts due under
the plans, Mead will remain obligated to pay any deficiency.

Termination Arrangements
General Severance Program. Mead has a company-wide severance program for its
salaried employees who are involuntarily terminated. The basic program provides
severance pay in a lump sum equal to one week's salary for each full year of
service plus an additional week for each $20,000 of base salary (or increment)
subject to enhancement following a change in control. Medical, dental and life
insurance coverages will be provided for a period of time equal to the number of
weeks of severance, provided certain conditions are met. The maximum period for
severance pay, depending on the salary level of the employee, will be limited to
either 52 or 26 weeks. Based on current compensation, if the individuals named
in the Summary Compensation Table had been terminated on December 31, 2000, the
amounts payable to each of them would have been as follows: Mr. Tatar, $830,004;
Mr. Karter, $332,307; Mr. Lane, $395,884; Ms. McDonnell, $95,123; and, Mr.
McLevish, $149,538.

Severance Agreements. Mead has in place severance agreements with executive
officers and other key executives. The severance agreements provide for the
payment of certain benefits to a key executive (in lieu of amounts payable under
the general severance program) if employment is terminated by Mead other than
for "cause," or on account of death, disability or normal retirement, within two
years after a "change in control" of Mead, or if employment is terminated by the
key executive for "good reason" within the period, as such terms are defined in
the severance agreements. In general, under such circumstances, the key
executive is entitled to a cash payment of two and one-half times (three and
one-half times for Mr. Tatar) the sum of (i)

the key executive's highest rate of annualized base salary in effect at any time
up to and including the date of termination, and (ii) the greater of the key
executive's current target incentive under Mead's incentive plans or the highest
amount of the actual incentives received by the key executive for the three
incentive plan years immediately preceding the year in which the date of
termination occurs. In addition to the retirement benefits payable to the key
executive under Mead's non-contributory retirement plan, or any successor plan,
Mead shall make a cash payment calculated on the assumption that on the date of
termination the key executive had an additional three years of age and service
credits (provided such credits will not be treated as extending beyond the 65th
birthday of the key executive) at compensation levels as described in the
preceding sentence. Based on levels of compensation as of December 31, 2000, if
the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table had been terminated on
such date, the amounts payable to each of them would have been as follows: Mr.
Tatar, $10,179,064; Mr. Karter, $3,042,250; Mr. Lane, $3,057,250; Ms. McDonnell,
$1,688,500; and, Mr. McLevish, $1,723,500.

The severance agreements also provide for (i) the cancellation of all
outstanding stock options granted to the key executive under any stock option
plan of Mead in consideration for a cash or stock payment equal to the number of
shares covered by the option multiplied by the difference between the exercise
price per share and the higher of (a) the reported closing price per share on
the date of the key executive's termination or (b) the highest price paid per
share in connection with any change in control; (ii) a continuation of benefits
under Mead's life insurance, medical and dental plans (or substantially similar
benefits); and (iii) out placement counseling. If the aggregate severance
benefits to any executive would be subject to an excise tax under the Internal
Revenue Code, the excise tax shall be paid by Mead.

Limited Rights
Mead's stock option plans authorize the Compensation Committee to grant limited
rights with respect to all or any portion of the shares covered by options. The
Committee may grant limited rights simultaneously with the grant of an option or
at any time during their respective terms. Limited rights have been granted to
all named executive officers in an amount equal to stock options granted. In
general, limited rights are exercisable only after certain events which
constitute a change in control of Mead. Upon the exercise of a limited right, an
optionee will receive an amount in cash or stock equal to the difference between
(1) the exercise price per share of the option to which the limited right
relates, and (2) a price which in general represents the value placed upon a
common share in the change in control situation. When limited rights are
exercised, the options to which they relate will cease to be exercisable.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than ten
percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file
reports of ownership and changes in ownership of such securities with the
Securities Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. Copies of these
reports must also be furnished to the Company. Based solely upon a review of the
copies of the forms filed under Section 16(a) and furnished to the Company, or
written representations from reporting persons after inquiry, the Company
believes that all filing requirements applicable to its executive officers and
directors were complied with during 2000.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The members of the Board's Compensation Committee until April 26, 2001 are
Messrs. Breen, Mechem, Styslinger, Ms. Kropf and Ms. Miller. The members of the
Compensation Committee from and after April 26, 2001 will be Messrs. Breen,
Hoglund, Kaiser, Styslinger and Ms. Miller. In addition, Mr. Tatar, Mead's
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, is an ex-officio nonvoting
member of the Board's standing committees (other than Audit and Executive),
including the Compensation Committee (although Mr. Tatar did not participate in
any Compensation Committee discussions regarding his compensation). A. Robert
Rosenberger, Mead's Vice President, Human Resources, is the nonvoting Secretary
of the Committee, but is not a member of the Committee.

Except as described above, none of the members of the Compensation Committee are
or were an officer or employee of Mead, or have any relationship requiring
disclosure under the federal securities rules.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Messrs. Breen, Collins and Tatar are members of the Board of Directors of
National City Corporation. Ms. Miller is a member of the Board of Directors of
Bank One, N.A. The banks, or their subsidiaries, are lenders to the Company
under credit facilities. The fees paid in 2000 and payable in 2001 to the banks
are commercially reasonable, have been negotiated at arms-length, and are
equivalent to those payable to other members of the credit facilities with no
comparable relationship. The named directors receive no special or indirect
benefit as a result of the relationship between the banks and Mead.

Ms. Miller became Vice Chairman of Marsh Inc. on January 15, 2001. Marsh Inc.
provides insurance brokerage services and human resources consulting to Mead.
The fees expected to be paid to Marsh Inc. during 2001 will be approximately $1
million. The fees are commercially reasonable, have been negotiated at arms-
length, and are equivalent to those payable for other services similarly
provided to the Corporation. Ms. Miller receives no special or indirect benefit
as a result of the relationship between Marsh Inc. and Mead.

Proposed 1996 Stock Option Plan Amendment

The 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") was approved by shareholders at Mead's
annual meeting in 1996. The purpose of the Plan is to provide incentives to
officers, other key employees and non-employee directors of Mead upon whose
judgment, initiative and efforts the long-term growth and success of the Company
is largely dependent; to assist in attracting and retaining key employees and
non-employee directors of proven ability; and, to increase the identity of
interests of such persons with shareholders. There are approximately 2,000,000
shares of common stock ("Shares") remaining available for grant under the Plan
which expires on September 30, 2005.

The Plan is proposed to be amended to provide the following:

. Add 2,500,000 shares to the total available for grant.

. Eliminate reload rights from new option grants after the date of the
amendment.

. Expressly prohibit repricing of options downward except as currently
permitted in the Plan, for example, upon a change in outstanding shares due
to a share dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, split-up,
combination or exchange of shares.

. Permit new option grants after the date of the amendment to include a
provision reducing the expiration of the option term to not later than five
years after retirement of the recipient of the option from Mead.

The Plan originally authorized the issuance of 8,000,000 Shares on a post-split
basis. Adding shares to the Plan extends the usefulness of the Plan without
extending the expiration date of the Plan. Also, eliminating reload rights from
future grants and expressly prohibiting repricing (except as currently permitted
in the Plan) incorporates features generally identified by shareholders as
responsive to shareholders' interests. Lastly, providing for a shorter duration
for the exercise of options held by retirees should reduce the overhang of
options over time.

There were options outstanding on January 31, 2001 authorizing the issuance of
approximately 9,050,000 shares. There were approximately 98,963,000 shares
outstanding on the same date. Adding 2,500,000 shares to the Plan will result in
total dilution to outstanding shares from all options granted and ungranted of
approximately 13.6%.

Vote Required. The Amendment to the Plan must be approved by the holders of a
majority of Common Shares present in person or by proxy at the 2001 Annual
Meeting entitled to vote. The full text of the Amendment is attached as Appendix
2.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of the Amendment to the
1996 Stock Option Plan.

Other Business
The Board of Directors does not intend to present, and has no knowledge that
others will present, any other business at the meeting. However, if any other
matters are properly brought before the meeting it is intended that the holders
of proxies will vote thereon in their discretion.

Independent Public Accountants
The independent certified public accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP has
been appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as independent public
accountants for Mead and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2001. Deloitte & Touche LLP served in such capacity for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2000. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be
present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if
they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions
from shareholders.

Shareholder Proposals
Any proposal by a shareholder intended for inclusion in Mead's proxy statement
and form of proxy for the 2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received
by Mead on or before November 15, 2001 in order to be eligible for such
inclusion. The date after which notice of a shareholder proposal submitted
outside the process of Rule 14a-8 is considered untimely is January 30, 2002.
Notices must be received by Mead at Courthouse Plaza, Northeast, Dayton, Ohio
45463, Attention: Sue K. McDonnell, Secretary.

Solicitation of Proxies
The entire cost of solicitation will be paid by Mead. In addition to the use of
the mails, proxy solicitations may be made by officers and employees of Mead,
personally or by telephone or electronically. It is also anticipated that banks,
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries will be
requested to forward soliciting material to their principals and to obtain
authorization for the execution of proxies. Mead has retained Georgeson
Shareholder Communications, Inc. to aid in the solicitation of proxies, for
which Mead will pay an estimated $16,000. In addition, Mead will reimburse
Georgeson Shareholder Communications, Inc., banks, brokerage houses and other
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their out-of-pocket expenses. The
approximate number of shareholders both direct and beneficial, as of the record
date, was 39,166.

By order of the Board of Directors
Jerome F. Tatar
Chairman of the Board

Printed on [50# New Era Matte]

Appendix 1
----------

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
-----------------------

FUNCTION, SCOPE, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
--------------------------------------------
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
----------------------

Function
- --------

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors assists the Board in fulfilling
its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting,
auditing and reporting practices of the Corporation and such other duties as
directed by the Board. In addition, the Audit Committee is charged with the
responsibility of reviewing the standards of proper business conduct for the
Corporation and its employees set by the Corporation from time to time and
reviewing the actions of management to implement, and monitor compliance with
such standards. Management of The Mead Corporation is responsible for the
preparation, objectivity and integrity of the financial statements and related
information.

Scope
- -----

The Audit Committee serves at the pleasure of, and is subject to the control and
direction of, the Board of Directors.

Duties and Responsibilities
- ---------------------------

In carrying out its duties and responsibilities, the Audit Committee shall:

1. Provide primary input into the recommendation, at least annually, to the
Board of Directors for the selection and retention of the independent
accountant that audits the financial statements.

2. Have direct access to the independent and internal auditors and provide an
open avenue of communication between the independent and internal auditors
and the Board of Directors.

3. Obtain written affirmation from the auditors that the auditors are in fact
independent and discuss with the auditors matters which may affect their
independence.

4. Review the fees charged by the independent auditors for the audit, as well
as for any non-audit services provided by them.

5. Review the broad scope of the joint internal/external audit program with
both the independent auditors and the internal auditors at the beginning of
each year.

6. Review financial statements and results of the audit with management and
the independent auditor. It is anticipated that these decisions will focus
on, among other areas:

a. The quality of earnings.

b. The quality and adequacy of the accounting, financial and internal audit
policies, procedures and controls.

c. The overall internal controls of the Corporation.

d. Any highly judgmental areas, audit adjustments, whether or not recorded,
and other inquiries as may be appropriate.

e. The impact of new pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards
Boards, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York Stock Exchange and other
similar bodies or agencies which could have an effect on the Corporation's
financial statements or conditions.

f. The adequacy of management disclosure of information to the Directors.

g. Other matters which came to their attention during the course of the
audit.

7. Assure that the scope of the joint internal/external audit program for the
year has been substantially completed.

8. Review with auditors matters required to be reviewed under Statement on
Auditing Standard 61.

9. Make a recommendation to the Board of Directors as to whether the audited
financial statements should be included in Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K.

10. Review periodically with the Vice President, Audits the results of the
internal audits.

11. Review from time to time standards and policies of proper business conduct
and practices for the Corporation and its employees and review efforts of
management to implement and monitor compliance with the standards and
policies. Meet with internal and external auditors periodically to
discover the existence of any potentially illegal conduct and steps being
taken to correct such conduct.

12. Direct and supervise investigations into matters within the scope of its
duties.

13. Report on Audit Committee activities to the full Board and issue annually
a summary report in compliance with the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission for submission to the shareholders.

14. Review and update the Function, Scope, Duties and Responsibilities/Charter
annually.

Membership
- ----------

The membership of the Audit Committee shall consist of at least one member of
each of the Finance and Compensation Committees of the Board of Directors, but
not less than three directors, recommended annually by the Nominating &
Organization Committee of the Board and approved by the Board of Directors. The
membership of the Committee shall consist of at least three Directors, all of
whom are generally knowledgeable in financial and auditing matters, including at
least one member with accounting or related financial management expertise. All
members of the Audit Committee shall be directors independent of management and
free from any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would
interfere with the exercise of independent judgment as a committee member. The
Audit Committee shall be chaired by a member designated by the Board of
Directors, and the Secretary of the Board of Directors shall act as Secretary of
the Committee.

The Audit Committee may have in attendance at its meetings such members of
management and the independent and internal auditors as it may deem necessary or
desirable to provide the necessary information to carry out its duties and
responsibilities. The Chairman of the Finance Committee has a standing
invitation to be present at meetings of the Audit Committee.

The Corporation's Annual Proxy Statement shall disclose that the Audit Committee
is governed by a Charter, which shall be published in the Corporation's Annual
Proxy Statement at least every three years.

Revised February 23, 2000

Appendix 2
----------

AMENDMENT
TO
THE MEAD CORPORATION
1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN

THIS AMENDMENT (this "Amendment") is made as of February 22, 2001 to The
Mead Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has determined that it is in
the best interests of The Mead Corporation (the "Company"), its shareholders and
Grantees that the Plan be amended, in accordance with Section 13 thereof, as
provided herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended as follows, provided that this
Amendment shall be subject to the approval of the Company's shareholders at the
Company's annual shareholder's meeting on April 26, 2001:

1. The first sentence of Section 3 (a) of the Plan is hereby amended in
its entirety to read as follows:

Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11, the
----------------
maximum number of Shares that may be issued and/or delivered under the Plan
upon the exercise of options is 10,500,000.

2. The second paragraph of Section 4 of the Plan is hereby amended by
adding the phrase "under option agreements entered into prior to April 26, 2001"
after the phrase "Reload Options" in the second sentence thereof.

3. Section 4 of the Plan is hereby amended by the addition of the
following sentence at the end of the second paragraph thereof:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except in connection with an adjustment
pursuant to Section 11 hereof, in no event shall the Committee have the
authority to take any action which would have the result of adjusting
downward the exercise price of any Incentive Stock Option or Nonqualified
Option granted hereunder, whether through any amendment of the terms of
such option, through the cancellation and subsequent replacement of such
option with a new option in connection therewith or through any other
means.

4. The first sentence of Section 5 of the Plan is hereby amended in its
entirety to read as follows:

From time to time during the term of the Plan, the Committee may grant one
or more Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Options and Reload Options
under option agreements entered into prior to April 26, 2001 to any person
who is then an officer or other key employee of the Company.

5. Section 6 (b) (5) of the Plan is hereby amended in its entirety to
read as follows:

At the time the option is granted, or at such other time as the Committee
may determine, the Committee may provide that, if the Grantee of the option
ceases to be employed by the Company for any reason (including, but not
limited to, the Grantee's disability), other than death or retirement of
the Grantee, the option will continue to be exercisable by the Holder
(including a Transferee under Section 10 hereof) for such additional period
(not to exceed the remaining term of such option) as the Committee may
provide. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time an option
is granted, if the Grantee of an option granted after April 26, 2001 ceases
to be employed by the Company due to the Grantee's retirement, all options
granted after April 26, 2001 which are then exercisable by such Grantee
shall remain exercisable by the Holder for up to five (5) years after the
date of such termination of employment, but in no event may the option be
exercised later than its otherwise applicable expiration date.

6. Section 6 (d) of the Plan is hereby amended by adding the phrase
"under option agreements entered into prior to April 26, 2001" immediately
before the defined term "(the "Original Option")."

7. Section 6 (e) of the Plan is hereby amended by adding the phrase
"under option agreements entered into prior to April 26, 2001" after the phrase
"including a Reload Option" from the first parenthetical contained therein.

This Amendment shall be effective as of the date first written above to
options first granted after April 26, 2001, but shall be subject to the approval
of the Company's shareholders at the Company's annual shareholder's meeting in
the year 2001. Except as modified by this Amendment, the Plan shall remain in
full force and effect.

THE MEAD CORPORATION World Headquarters, Courthouse Plaza Northeast, Dayton, OH
45463 www.mead.com

Cover printed on Mead(R) Gloss, 80 lb. Text.

0950-PS-01

The 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Thursday, April 26, 2001 at 11:00 a.m.

Sinclair Community College, Blair Auditorium

Dayton, Ohio

You may vote your proxy by returning the attached card in the enclosed envelope
or by telephone.

You need the Control Number printed on the proxy card if you vote by telephone.

Call TOLL FREE 1-877-779-8683 - 24 hours a day - 7 days a week to vote by
--------------
telephone.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you use the telephone to vote your proxy, do not mail back your proxy.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[0950-THE MEAD CORPORATION-common][FILE NAME: ZMED2A.ELX][VERSION-(3)][02/08/01]
[orig. 02/05/01]

ZMED2A DETACH HERE

[ X ] Please mark
votes as in
this example.

The Board recommends a vote FOR proposals 1 and 2.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Election of Directors to serve until the FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Annual Meeting in the year 2002. 2. To amend the 1996 Stock Option Plan. [_] [_] [_]
Nominees:(01) John G. Breen, (02) Duane E. Collins,
(03) William E. Hoglund, (04) James G. Kaiser,
(05) Robert J. Kohlhepp, (06) John A. Krol,
(07) Susan J. Kropf, (08) Heidi G. Miller,
(09) Lee J. Styslinger, Jr.,
(10) Jerome F. Tatar and (11) J. Lawrence Wilson.
FOR [_] [_] WITHHELD
ALL FROM ALL

[_] ____________________________________
For all nominees except as noted

- -----------------------------------------------------------

MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS [_] MARK HERE IF YOU [_]
CHANGE AND INDICATE NEW PLAN TO ATTEND
ADDRESS AT LEFT THE MEETING

Receipt is acknowledged of Notice of the Annual Meeting and Proxy
Statement.

Shareholders should mark, date this proxy and sign exactly as name(s)
appears hereon and return in the enclosed envelope. If stock is held
jointly, both owners should sign this proxy. Executors,
administrators, trustees, guardians and others signing in a
representative capacity should indicate the capacity in which they
sign.

Signature:_____________________________ Date:_________________ Signature:_____________________________ Date:_________________

[0950-THE MEAD CORPORATION-common][FILE NAME: ZMED2A.ELX][VERSION-(3)][02/12/01]
[orig. 02/05/01]

ZMED2B DETACH HERE

THE MEAD CORPORATION

Annual Meeting of Shareholders, April 26, 2001

The undersigned holder(s) of Common Shares of THE MEAD CORPORATION, an
Ohio corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"), hereby appoints Sue
K. McDonnell, Lee J. Styslinger, Jr. and Jerome F. Tatar, and each of them,
attorneys of the undersigned, with power of substitution, to vote all of the
Common Shares of the undersigned entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of the
Company to be held at the Blair Auditorium, Sinclair Community College, 444 West
Third Street, Dayton, Ohio on Thursday, April 26, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. and at any
and all adjournments of such meeting, upon the matters set forth on the reverse
side hereof, and in their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon
such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
COMPANY. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO INSTRUCTION IS INDICATED, THE
SHARES WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DIRECTORS. IN
THE EVENT OF CUMULATIVE VOTING FOR DIRECTORS, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE INDICATED BY
THE UNDERSIGNED, A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED HEREIN WILL GIVE THE
PROXYHOLDERS DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY TO CUMULATE ALL VOTES TO WHICH THE
UNDERSIGNED IS ENTITLED AND TO ALLOCATE THEM IN FAVOR OF ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE
NOMINEES, AS THE PROXYHOLDERS DETERMINE.

- ----------- -----------
SEE REVERSE (CONTINUED AND TO BE VOTED AND SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE) SEE REVERSE
SIDE SIDE
- ----------- -----------

The 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Thursday, April 26, 2001 at 11:00 a.m.

Sinclair Community College, Blair Auditorium

Dayton, Ohio

You may vote your proxy by returning the attached card in the enclosed envelope
or by telephone.

You need the Control Number printed on the proxy card if you vote by telephone.

Call TOLL FREE 1-877-779-8683 - 24 hours a day - 7 days a week to vote by
telephone.

[0950-THE MEAD CORPORATION-401K][FILE NAME: ZMD23A.ELX][VERSION-(3)][02/08/01]
[orig.02/05/01]

ZMD23A DETACH HERE

[ X ] Please mark
votes as in
this example

The Board recommends a vote FOR proposals 1 and 2.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Election of Directors to serve until the Annual 2. To amend the 1996 Stock Option Plan FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Meeting in the year 2002. Nominees: [_] [_] [_]
(01) John G. Breen, (02) Duane E. Collins,
(03) William E. Hoglund, (04) James G. Kaiser, ----------------------------------------------------------------------
(05) Robert J. Kohlhepp, (06) John A. Krol,
(07) Susan J. Kropf, (08) Heidi G. Miller,
(09) Lee J. Styslinger, Jr., (10) Jerome F. Tatar
and (11) J. Lawrence Wilson

FOR [_] WITHHELD [_]
ALL FROM ALL

[_] ____________________________________
For all nominees except as noted
- --------------------------------------------------------------

MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS [_] MARK HERE IF YOU [_]
CHANGE AND INDICATE NEW PLAN TO ATTEND
ADDRESS AT LEFT THE MEETING

Receipt is acknowledged of Notice of the Annual Meeting and Proxy
Statement.

Signature:_____________________________ Date:_________________ Signature:_____________________________ Date:_________________

[0950-THE MEAD CORPORATION-401K][FILE NAME:ZMD23B.ELX][VERSION-(1)][02/05/01]
[orig. 02/05/01]

ZMD23B DETACH HERE

CONFIDENTIAL VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
TO: FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE
UNDER THE MEAD 401(k) PLAN

Annual Meeting of Shareholders: April 26, 2001

As a participant in the Mead 401(k) Plan, I hereby instruct the Trustee to
vote (in person or by proxy) all Common Shares of THE MEAD CORPORATION which are
credited to my account at the Annual Meeting of Mead to be held at the Blair
Auditorium, Sinclair Community College, 444 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio, on
Thursday, April 26, 2001, at 11:00 a.m. and at any and all adjournments thereof,
on the matters set forth herein, and, in the Trustee's discretion, on such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.

THIS DIRECTION IS BEING SOLICITED BY FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY, AS
TRUSTEE UNDER THE MEAD 401(k) PLAN. THIS DIRECTION WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL
BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED PARTICIPANT. IF NO
INSTRUCTION IS INDICATED, THE TRUSTEE SHALL VOTE SUCH WHOLE SHARES IN THE SAME
PORTION AS THE SHARES FOR WHICH INSTRUCTIONS ARE RECEIVED FROM OTHER
PARTICIPANTS IN SUCH PLAN.

- ------------- -------------
SEE REVERSE (CONTINUED AND TO BE VOTED AND SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE) SEE REVERSE
SIDE SIDE
- ------------- -------------